Angered Israelis attack Jerusalem home of yeshiva terrorist

Monday, March 17, 2008 |
by Staff Writer

A group of some 200 angered Israelis descended on the Jerusalem-area Arab village of Jabel Mukabar on Sunday to violently demonstrate against that community's decision a week ago to honor a local man after he massacred eight young Jewish bible students in the capital.

Ala Abu Dheim's horrific shooting spree at Jerusalem's Merkaz Harav Yeshiva on March 6 was, as Israeli leaders described, a stab in the heart. But when Dheim's family and neighbors in eastern Jerusalem set up a mourning tent adorned lovingly with numerous pictures of the deceased killer, not to mention Hamas and Hizballah flags, many Israelis were pushed beyond boiling point.

"The Arabs of Israel and Jerusalem must understand that the Jews have stopped being suckers. If they identify with Hamas and Hizbullah, they will pay a price for it," one of the participants in Sunday's demonstration told Ynet.

The violence against the Arab community, which consisted primarily of mild stone throwing and the lighting of firecrackers, lasted only several minutes before police arrived and forcibly pushed the Jewish rioters back.

Two police officers were reportedly injured lightly in the scuffle, and 27 protesters were arrested, many of which later complained that the police used excessive force.

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